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Suffering not the solution to opioid crisis

Wed., July 12, 2017

Re: Opioids still have a place in control of chronic pain: Doctors’ Notes, July 10

Opioids still have a place in control of chronic pain: Doctors’ Notes, July 10

It was a relief to read a sane discussion of opioid use in Dr. Hance Clarke’s article. Most of us who depend on drugs such as Oxycocet are not slavering drug addicts. Before my most recent major surgeries, I was taking over 100 mg of opioids a day and am now down to about 20 or so, along with other pain management drugs.

Dr. Clarke however, makes it sound all too easy to find good affordable supplementary care. A system which pays for expensive surgeries and not for the physiotherapy to make good on it, is off-kilter. Most insurance doesn’t cover more than a hint of what is required. Without such care, drugs become more important.

No one is saying addiction is not a grievous problem, but making the miserable suffer more is not the solution. Pain costs in terms of lost income, depression and suicide. Yes, pain kills too.

Article Continued Below

Elizabeth MacCallum, Toronto

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